On a global, national, and even local level, intense conflict is all around us, and individuals are increasingly fearful about their own personal safety. Join us as we hear from Anna Zaros and Will Wallace from Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) as they share their insights about the opportunities and challenges of working with other community leaders to create an environment where personal safety can be sustained here in Minneapolis. For over 20 years, the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) has been invited by communities around the world to help them create safety through a collective community-driven response. In the last year alone, NP began work in Sudan and Ukraine. On a local level, NP’s safety work has included training school safety specialists in Minneapolis Public Schools. Through a US Department of Justice Federal Grant, NP is also collaborating with North Minneapolis organizations interested in the community’s desire to reduce the level of violence. Anna Zaros, Director of Organizational Advancement @ NP, will share her global insights about creating safety in a community. She has worked to advance peace and justice for over 15 years, including in the Philippines, Bolivia, and across Minnesota. Will Wallace, Director of Community Peacebuilding @ NP, and a 25+ year veteran working with youth in North Minneapolis, will discuss the work NP is doing locally to create safety both at an individual and more importantly at a community level. Will’s unique expertise is in working with youth who have been raised in situations of violence and trauma and have then become involved with gangs and/or the justice system. While Will has spoken twice previously with Mill City Commons about the challenges to individuals, this program will highlight the opportunity and challenges of collaborating across community organizations within North Minneapolis.
Interested in carpooling? Click on the registrant list and find a member in your building or near you that you can connect with and ask to share a ride. Or, feel free to contact the MCC office for a suggestion.